Cabinet approved the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Amendment Bill 2020

Cabinet approved the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Amendment Bill 2020

Chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the Union Cabinet has approved the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (Amendment) Bill, 2020, to amend the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, 1971. The Bill will be introduced at the subsequent Parliamentary session.

Special features of the planned modifications

• Proposing requirement for opinion of one provider for termination of pregnancy, up to 20 weeks of gestation and introducing the requirement of opinion of two providers for termination of pregnancy of 20-24 weeks of gestation.
• Enhancing the upper gestation limit from 20 to 24 weeks for special categories of women which will be defined in the amendments to the MTP Rules and would include 'vulnerable women including survivors of rape, victims of incest and other vulnerable women (like differently-abled women, Minors) etc.
• Upper gestation limit not to apply in cases of substantial foetal abnormalities diagnosed by Medical Board. The composition, functions and other details of Medical Board to be prescribed subsequently in Rules under the Act.
• Name and other particulars of a woman whose pregnancy has been terminated shall not be revealed except to a person authorised in any law for the time being in force.

Also check: Amendment in the CCS (Leave) Rules, 1972 consequent upon the implementation of the recommendations of 7th CPC

The Medical Termination of Pregnancy (Amendment) Bill, 2020 is for expanding access of women to safe and legal abortion services on therapeutic, eugenic, humanitarianor social grounds. The proposed amendments includesubstitution of certainsub-sections, insertion of certain new clauses under some sections in the existing Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, 1971, with a view to increase upper gestation limit for termination of pregnancy under certain conditions and to strengthen access to comprehensiveabortioncare, under strict conditions, without compromisingservice andquality of safe abortion.

It is a step towards safety and well-being of the women and many women will be benefitted by this. Recently several petitions were received by the Courts seeking permission for aborting pregnancies at a gestational age beyond the present permissible limit on grounds of foetal abnormalities or pregnancies due to sexual violence faced by women. The proposed increase in gestational age will ensure dignity, autonomy, confidentiality and justice for women who need to terminate pregnancy.
In orderto increase access of women to safe abortion services and taking into account the advances in medical technology, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare proposed amendments after extensive consultation with various stake holders and several ministries.

PIB

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CGHS - Unmarried permanently disabled and financially dependent sons to use CGHS facility

Unmarried permanently disabled and financially dependent sons to use CGHS facility

CGHS

No. 4-24/96-C&P/ CGHS (P)/ EHS
Government of India
Ministry of Health & Family Welfare
Department of Health & Family Welfare EHS Section

Nirman Bhawan, New Delhi
Dated: the 1st January 2020

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Eligibility of Permanently Disabled Son of a CGHS Beneficiary to avail CGHS facility.

In terms of the Office Memorandum of even number dated 07.05.2018, unmarried permanently disabled and financially dependent sons of CGHS beneficiary suffering 40% or more of one or more disabilities as specified in the O.M. will continue to avail CGHS facility even after attaining the age of 25 years. However, the son above the age of 25 years, in cases where disability has occurred after attaining the age of 25 years, is at present not considered as dependent for availing medical facilities under CGHS as per extant policy.

Also check: CGHS - Medical benefits to dependent parents of Central Government Employees

2. The matter has been engaging the attention of this Ministry for quite some past. It has now been decided that such son(s) above 25 years, in cases where the disability has occurred after attaining the age of 25 years can be considered as dependent for availing medical facilities under CGHS, subject to fulfillment of all other conditions as mentioned in the O.M. dated 07.05.2018.

3. This issues with the approval of Competent Authority.

Also read: CGHS Package Rates for 15 Investigations under CGHS

(Rajeev Attri)
Under Secretary to the Govt. of India
Tel: 011-2306 1883

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GDS - Revised cash conveyance limits for Gramin Dak Sevaks

GDS - Revised cash conveyance limits for Gramin Dak Sevaks

GDS

No.17-18/2018-GDS
Government Of India
Ministry of Communications
Department Of Posts
GDS Section

Dak Bhawan, Sansad Marg
New Delhi - 110 001

Dated:14.01.2020

To
All Chief Postmaster General
All Postmasters General
Director, RAKNPA Ghaziabad
Director, Postal Training Centers
Director of Accounts (Postal)
Addl. Director General, APS Bhawan, New Delhi

Subject: Revision of Security amount to be furnished by the Gramin Dak Sevaks

Sir/Madam
I am directed to invite your kind attention to para 4 of Directorate letter No.6-18/ 2010-PE-II dated 07.05.2010 on the above mentioned subject.

2. The Postal Operation Division vide letter No.24-3/2012-PO Dated 01st October 2018 has revised line limits for conveyance of cash for Gramin Dak Sevaks as Rs.1 lakh (Cash through BPM/ ABPM or Dak Sevak) and Rs.2 Lakh (Cash through BPM/ ABPM or Dak Sevak accompanied by another BPM / ABPM or Dak Sevaks).

3. Taking into consideration of the thrust on digital transactions/ digital payments, other transactions of IPPB and consequent upon launching of India Post Paymant Bank vide their letter No.24-3/2012-PO dated 01st October,2018 Department has carefully examined the issue of revision of Security amount to be furnished by the Gramin Dak Sevaks in view of increase in line limit of cash conveyance and handling of cash by the Gramin Dak Sevak.

4. The Competent Authority has ordered to enhance the security amount to be furnished by the Gramin Dak Sevaks as here under:-

Sl. No.	Category of GDS	Present Security	Revised Security
1	Branch Post Masters	Rs. 25000/-	Rs. 1,00,000/-
2	Assistant Branch Post Masters / Dak Sevaks	Rs. 10000/-	Rs. 1,00,000/-

5. The security will be in the form of Fidelity Guarantee Bond or National Saving Certificates pledged to the Department in the name of the President of India OR in the shape of a Bank Guarantee from any Nationalized Bank.
6. The periodicity of renewal of the Fidelity Guarantee Bond will be once in 5 years' (quinquinnelly). The required premium for 5 years' block may be recovered and the Fidelity Guarantee Bond obtained for full 5 years' block from the recognized Co-operative Credit Society at a time. In case of any fresh engagement in the middle of the block, the Fidelity Guarantee Bond can be obtained from the date of joining of the GDS to the end of the block. The blocks can be fixed uniformly for 5 years. Revised FGBs for the existing Gramin Dak Sevaks will take effect after the expiry of the currency of the existing security bonds, and thereafter the new FGBs have to be obtained for a period 5 years. Meanwhile, for existing GDS, additional FGBs of Rs.75,000/- for BPMs and Rs.90,000/- for ABPM / GDS may be obtained for remaining period of block of 5 years, as GDS has already submitted FGB for Rs.25,000/- by BPM & Rs.10,000/- by ABPM / GDS. After completion of the period, Fresh FGB of Rs.1,00,000/- may be obtained from existing BPMs/ ABPMs/ CIDS.

• For example, the currency of the existing security bonds is expiring by 31.03.2020, the new FGBs/Security should be obtained for a block of 5 years from 01.04.2020.
• In case any GDS is getting discharged upto 31.03.2020, fresh FGB need not to be obtained.
• In case any GDS is getting discharged, within the five years block, the security must be obtained from 01.04.2020 till date of discharge for the balance period only.
• In respect of new entrants, these orders will take with immediate effect and FGB must be obtained for five years from date of entry.

7. This orders is in supersession of all earlier guidelines on the subject. The contents of this letter may be brought to the notice of all the Divisional Heads in the Circle for strict timely compliance in obtaining the revised security and the periodicity in obtaining the security.

8. This issues with the approval of Competent Authority.

9. Hindi version will follow.

(S.B.Vyavahare)
Assistant Director General (GDS /PCC)
Tel.No.23096629
E-mail: adggds @ indiapost.gov.in

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